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Audit: Ex-Grant County employee racked up thousands on county credit card

GRANT COUNTY — A former administrative assistant to the Grant County Commissioners is accused of racking up thousands of dollars in personal expenses, such as gas, cellphone and utility services, on a county credit card.

The State Board of Accounts conducted an audit for records between Dec. 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019, and discovered credit card transactions made by former administrative assistant Tameria Miller.

During an interview with law enforcement on Nov. 7, 2019, Miller admitted to using the county commissioners’ credit card to purchase personal items.

Auditors found $2,938 in personal expenses including gasoline, cell phone service, utility services and multiple charges to a local large retail chain.

SBOA also incurred $2,671 in additional special investigation costs.

The county has internal controls over the use of credit cards employees which helped catch the irregularities early on.

The SBOA said Miller owes the taxpayers $5,892.46.

Miller was terminated from her position, records show.

No criminal charges have been filed, however, the audit has been shared with the Grant County prosecutor.

RTV6 reached out to the Grant County prosecutor and the commissioners for comment on the audit.

“The Commissioners are saddened by the actions taken from an employee in their office but are determined to pursue any and all available remedies to ensure that the employee returns any and all misappropriated Grant County funds attributable to her actions,” read the commissioners response to the State Board of Accounts. “Once made aware of the misappropriation of public funds, the Commissioners initiated an immediate investigation which lead to a prompt termination of the employee. In addition, further questionable expenditures from the employee were addressed as swiftly as possible and the Commissioners also made a report to the proper law enforcement officials and the State Board of Accounts for further investigation.”

RTV6 has been unable to reach Miller for comment.

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